cheap way to power 8000 watts of light

[Thehulkster321]

My brother recently purchesed his first home and has decided to invest alot of money into a growroom. He wants to run 8 1000 watt lights but he doesnt want to get turned in by the electric company. What could he use to power his electrical needs? I dont know much about different kinds of generators ect. and he was stumped aswell.

Thehulkster321 Reviewed by Thehulkster321 on 03-03-2006. cheap way to power 8000 watts of light My brother recently purchesed his first home and has decided to invest alot of money into a growroom. He wants to run 8 1000 watt lights but he doesnt want to get turned in by the electric company. What could he use to power his electrical needs? I dont know much about different kinds of generators ect. and he was stumped aswell. Rating: 5

[Crispyfried]

Maybe get some high-tech solar panels. These will be expensive initially but then free after that :dance: They are hooked up to a bank of batteries that store the power. Dunno if you can run that many lights off of such a setup though.

[mountainman]

Well, here's an idea. Skylight :-D The old fasioned solar panel :stoned:

[karmaxul]

If he gets a generator the options are diesel which are the most reliable and natural gas. A 6000 watt natural gas generator will do 3 1000 watt lights on the 12 12 flower no problem and is whisper quiet. If two people were sitting on it while it was running they would not need to raise there voices in order to talk. Another benefit is CO2 is the biproduct. Diesel or biodesiel is the most reliable and if you got a pick up truck you will be able to get a tank to fit your bed for stealth fill ups. With 5000 watts running constant you are looking at spending around 1000 a month or more in fuel to operate. Just a small amount of what you will be making. The natural gas unless you live near a airport of which most have fill stations you will need a couple different companies to deliever to you or get an excuse for useing it. You could say you use it to heat and power your house heat a garage or some thing. Just put out some non working halogen lights that look like they come on at night. They are 1500 watts a piece. I would not go much over 500 with a non private electric company. Most gas companies are private and will not complain about making them money. Still its one more person to smell the garden. I recommend you line the room in pond liner. Get a generator that can handle twice the watts you run through it. Diesels are reallt the only ones designed to run all day.

Hope this helps
One love
c

[Thehulkster321]

what are some private electric companies? and are they really private? and would it be cheaper for me to run the lights via diesal or through a private electric company?

[stinkyattic]

My brother recently purchesed his first home and has decided to invest alot of money into a growroom. He wants to run 8 1000 watt lights .....I dont know much about different kinds of generators ect. and he was stumped aswell.

That's a big growroom- I'd have some other questions:

-Is he an experienced grower looking to expand? If not, I'd go for a much smaller setup to start with

-8kw could produce up to 8lbs/month if done perfectly. Forget looking suspicious to just the power company- that's a lot of weed and a host of other complications not limited to finding a market for it all without getting busted or robbed.

-Those lights are going to put out a significant amount of heat. Your brother will want a SERIOUS air conditioner, there's another big power sucker.

-Don't forget the cost of routine maintenance on the generator, and the wiring for it. If he intends to run it into the panel so that it is correctly wired with circuit breakers etc., there MUST -and I cannot stress this enough- be a safety switch for whenever the power company has to work on the lines near the house, such as when there is a power outage. Same goes for a solar system. The last thing your brother needs is to have to explain why the poor unsuspecting linesman was injured or killed.

If you want my advice as a homeowner, just tell your bro to get a few 600w lamps (less heat, more flexibility), start smaller, and invest the money he's ready to spend on a generator on a really nice security system for his new home. I promise he will sleep better at night.

[karmaxul]

If he has wind look into wind generator. The electric company will plug them into the lines and pay you to produce power. I live on a hill and its like a wind tunnel I hope to get a call back today.

One love
c

[jakenthegentiles]

i have thoes right behind my house excepe the powere goes to florida and i live inteh north that sfucken bull shit

[krustythfreakinclown]

From what I've read, diesel generators are very inefficient. And from a security standpoint could stand to make it more likely that you will get busted for having a generator running in your backyard 24/7 (12/12, even).

As mentioned earlier, I would suggest he set aside a space for when he goes to max out his grow ops. Then, start with one or two lights. Then, develop a system of either hydroponic or soil. Don't worry which one. I suggest starting with soil if it's your first grow and move to a small hydro setup after one or two harvests. Then, look at expanding your operations.

Just you and your brother watch your asses if you get a big grow going.

If it is his goal to use 1000W lights, then he should start with one and grow a few plants at a time. Or, get a 400W light and grow one, maybe 2 plants to start. Once you get the hang of it, a quarter pound off a 400W light is easy.

[turtle420]

From what I've read, diesel generators are very inefficient.

Wow... inefficient? Diesel generators? Damn... compared to what?

Take this very friendly Krusty, I'm not pushing any buttons. I just find that, well, um... ???

Compared to a gas turbine, they're inefficient. But, from all internal combustion engines, I would put my money on a diesel generator being the most efficient.

It operates at near constant speed (RPM). It can be "tuned" to that speed range. It's diesel (better than gasoline).

Just my two cents...

<><><>
In other news: I've always had this crazy idea:::

Say, the 8,000 Watts... well, say you have the money and the will power to do it...

Ok, so buy a diesel VAN... then fill it up with batteries (Optima batteries kick-ass)... obviously, upgrade the suspension. Then, engineer your way into putting a huge generator connected to the engine (one, or two, or a couple of heavy duty alternators).

Then, your van charges your huge battery bank. So, you turn your van ON in the morning, go fill it up, drive around... smoke some blunts... fill it up again... drive some more... then go home when it's fully charged.

Park inside the garage, connect power cables to battery bank, and TaDA!!!

What do you guys think? Quick, before I patent it!